Instant Pot Ultra

It’s called the Ultra for good reason—the world’s most advanced Instant Pot combines a remarkable 10 cooking functions into one easy-to-use, compact countertop appliance that’s perfect for today’s busy and health-conscious...Read More

Only the Ultragives you unlimited control over all settings, allowing you to set each preset based on your favorite recipes and preferences (no matter how finicky), or turn your Instant Pot into a sous vide cooker. Delay Start and Keep Warm functions make it even easier to work everyday cooking into your busy lifestyle.

The Instant Pot Ultra comes with a stainless steel inner pot ideal for sautéing and browning. The pot is removable and dishwasher safe, so cleanup is a breeze. Included accessories—a rice spatula, ladle, measuring cup and canning rack—allow you to master a variety of techniques and recipes.

Customer Reviews

The "instruction manual" is ridiculous! You have to guess and I really don't know what half of the things you can do with this are. The Ultra button - have no idea what it does or what it means! You need to buy a basic instant pot cookbook and hope it can help. I have made a few things so far - all great & quick - but really disappointed with the instructions - anyone else feel that way?

This is my second Instant Pot; the other is a Duo 60 7-1. At first, I thought the Ultra was just the same pot with a prettier face, but shes a tad bit smarter than the first one and a whole lot smarter than my 35-year-old stovetop version! Let me count the ways: 1. I love the bell-curve that indicates visually where it is in the cooking process. 2. I love the new egg option. (I do a quick release after 2 minutes for perfect, easy-to-peel, hard-boiled eggs.) 3. It makes smooth, delicious yogurt cheaply! 4. Ive made mouthwatering cheesecake twice. Perfection. 5. Ive made black, red and Great Northern beans using the Chili/Bean selection. Its ability to retain the beans flavor is uncanny. Pun intended. 6. Beef or pork ribs? So easy in the IP. (I broil them with BBQ sauce in the oven for ten minutes after theyve been cooked.) 7. Veggies. Fast. 8. Potato salad are done in record time and the potatoes arent mushy. All I can say is YUM!

I consider myself a good cook but twice I have tried recipes from the cookbook that came with the pot. Both times the meat was way over cooked and there was an awful odor. Does anyone have this problem.

My review is plain and simple. I LOVE the Instant Pot Ultra. This is my second electric pressure cooker, both by Instant Pot. The company listened to suggestions and added features requested. The Instant Pot Ultra pressure cooker is versatile, dependable and easy to use. The price point on this updated product seems a bargain when compared to comparable pots currently on the market. If you have not entered the world of electric pressure cookers, then I recommend you start now and suggest you start here. From yogurt to one pot meals, cheesecake to pot roast, this tool changed my kitchen.

I am new to instant pot and made my first dish yesterday (mac and cheese). Like this appliance so far. Just wish there was more detailed info in the manual on how to do certain things (e.g. change altitude settings). Will continue to gain experience and get more comfortable over time I'm sure.

I love the IP Ultra! Honestly everything I've made in the IP has been delicious, but the best part is the decreased clean up of cookware as well as very little heat being released into my kitchen. It's already getting hot as we approach summer and having a cooking appliance that is efficient with energy and heat is A+. Honestly my fave thing for IP is using it to cook frozen chicken breasts for my next week's lunch + dinner. 1 cup of water + enough chicken breasts to line the bottom of the pot + salt pepper thyme bay leaf + 30 minutes high pressure = moist shreddable chicken. It's perfect for salads and sandwiches and wraps. Can't beat it.

I'm really enjoying the new Instant Pot and learning how to make the most of it. I would say the manual could be a little more detailed about setting the "altitude" -- since that was one of the major reasons I went with this model (I live in the Denver area).

Instant Pot is versatile, easy to use and clean and although I haven't explored all the options (I've only had it a couple weeks) -- everything I've made has been a success.... LOTS of fun, too.

This is the second Instant Pot I have. They are amazing kitchen tools that shorten meal prep considerably. Every recipe I've made has turned out fast, moist, with an amazing flavor. It is insane how easy hard boiled eggs are to peel, after cooking them in the Instant Pot. I've only used the pressure cooker setting so far but will continue to experiment with other settings. With all this tool can do, in just one space saving device, it's also sure to save you a lot of cabinet space in your kitchen.

I've had trouble getting the timer to work when I went from saute to pressure cook. I couldn't get the timer to start when I changed the minutes. I thought it was broken but then after I turned off and tried again it worked I need a lot more practice using it. It isn't that simple. So I am rating lower for now because ease of use for me is still a problem.

This is my second instant pot. I also have the duo. I love both! I like the updated screen and being able to customize. I also like the pressure release button. This is easy to use and makes great meals!!

I think the product is amazing. My only criticism would be the instruction booklet that does not explain the central dial in more detail. Also, the booklet says to turn the steam release valve to sealing by pushing the steam release button counter-clockwise. I know now that it seals automatically. Being a first-time IP user, I feel the instructions could have been better.

The directions for use are sadly lacking. I love the concept and will continue to work with it - but when cooking chili yesterday a BURN alert came up in the window and I had no idea what to do with it. There was no reference in the user manual.

This is a very useful appliance. Very easy to use, quiet and fast. One thing to note is that when pressure cooking, it seals automatically. You don't press the lever into sealed position as stated in the instruction manual. I'll be using this cooker often!

I am learning to use my Instant Pot. BUT . . . the instructions that came with it are really very inadequate. I had to write to them to get more complete instructions and they were helpful - but it would be better if they had been complete from the get-go.

You can't go wrong with the Ultra. Great for beginners. This is my 2nd Instant Pot. They just keep getting better and better. I will gladly give up any kitchen appliance I own, but NOT my Instant Pot! Highly recommend this must have to everyone.

Let me first say for those debating between the 3 & 6 qt pots heads up. My spouse and I are retired and we debated between which of the two pots to purchase the 3 or 6 qt. A lovely sales clerk at a different kitchen shop convinced us to go for the 6 qt.

We purchased the 6 qt and gave it a test run. As it turned out it's just way too big. I image that if you entertain more than 4 people frequently or you have a young family with big appetites the 6 qt would be great. But, if you just want to cook 1 cup (uncooked) of rice for two people it becomes ginormous. So we returned the 6 qt and purchased the 3 qt.So hopefully if this advice is relevant to you, it will save you the inconvenience and awkwardness of returning the 6-qt.

We are in our mid 60's and over the years we have fewer and fewer opportunities to entertain more than four and mostly just cook for ourselves. With that said this thing is amazing.

So far in the mini we've cook five dishes all which have come out great.

1. It cooked a 1 cup and 2 cup dry measure portion of basmati and long grain rice and both come out perfectly. However, I'd advise purchasing the non-stick insert for rice, because the rice sticks to the stainless steel and is difficult to clean and avoid a long soak to be able to clean the pot.

2. My Texas pinto bean recipe which I have perfected over the years which involved the over night soak in saltwater and 2 to 4 hours of slow simmering the following day, was shorten to no soak and only 1 hour of instant pot cooking time. What a time saver and is nothing short of a miracle.

One of the most delicious outcomes I've ever had. Beans came out with the perfect texture and no constant minding of the pot either slow cooker or stove top. Using 2 cups of dried beans made more than enough for the two of us. Could easily serve four people.

3. We cooked one of the best Pork Chili Verde's with little or no work in less than an hour from beginning to end, which would have taken 2 to 3 hours on the stove top. The mini can handle 3 lb's of meat with no problem and again it was enough for four or more people.

The best part we have been able to clear out two machines, our rice cooker and the bulky slow cooker with the reasonably small Mini Instant Pot, gaining extra space. The second is that you don't have to plan hours in advance to decide to have a typical slow cooked meal which keeps you trapped at home during the duration. You can on the spur of the moment cook up an otherwise long prepped dish in no time flat.

I thought we were falling into the trap of buying yet another seldom used fad kitchen appliance. I'm pleased to say the machine lives up to its reputation of being a solid asset to the kitchen and a joy to cook with. Looking forward to more cooking experiences with our Mini Instant Pot.

Love it. I love the turn dial for time and temperature. I made yogurt adjusting the incubation temperature to 112 degrees for 8 hours and it was spot on. Also made pulled pork, roasted barbecue chicken, Slovakia, as well as bone broth. It's my go to cooking device

there are a couple of things that the instant pot does beautifully. for instance, braising things like pork shoulder. amazing!! but it is not great for other things. the sautee function is either too hot (high or medium) or barely hot (low) so i've gone back to doing all sautee, browning, etc on the stove. pressure cooking times are misleading. "35 minutes" for beans is not really the whole story. it takes a substantial amount of time for the pot to get to pressure, and then after 35 minutes of pressurized cooking, it took just long for the pressure to release naturally. for these reasons (and a few more) i feel like i'm in a steep learning curve with the instant pot and not sure i love it.

I ordered the Ultra because I live at 9100 feet, and it was touted as being able to adjust for altitude. The pot itself seems to work fine but the user's manual is not only impossible to follow, it's full of errors. The cookbook included with the pot is NOT for the Ultra, and finding any help with how to use it when you live at altitude is next to impossible. I'm having to experiment, which means I'm throwing away food. Great on the egg setting, and I'm still finding the best rice:water ration. I'm sure I'll like it a lot more, but a place to find high altitude recipes would be nice.

First, the manual is totally worthless. It took me forever to figure out how to program high pressure to make ribs. The ribs turned out great, but some guidance would have been greatly appreciated. Then I learned a very good lesson ~ cream soups do not belong in Instant Pots.even if that is what the recipe tells you. I tried to make chicken and dumplings. In a 6 minute recipe, the "burn" feature went on 3 times. I don't honestly know if the recipe ever really cooked. Clean up was a pain. I had another recipe planned for the next day - I used my crock pot to be safe

On my 2nd return---valve problems on both units. Releases steam/pressure when it should hold. Also have to stand and keep holding the valve to release steam after. I can understand one defective unit, but both with same problem?! Please address the issues, Instant Pot!

The Instant Pot is a valuable time saver, but has pros and cons. The pot is heavier than anticipated and requires experimentation because the directions provided by the manufacturer are mind-numbing and complicated. This is not a "plug and play" appliance; requires owner time, determination, and initiative. Once more comfortable working with the pot, the clean-up becomes manageable; however, initially I was intimidated. One also needs to adapt recipes for the appliance and to collect others specially designed for success during early cooking efforts. The maker seems more interested in technological changes in successive product versions rather than service to home cooks/buyers through clear directions and use ease. .

I love this machine. I used the sous vide feature to cook a bone-in rib-eye and it was the best steak I have ever had. The next use was St. Louis style pork ribs - they were wonderfully tender in under an hour.

I've used this pot in both pressure cooker mode and slow cooker mode. Both worked very well and the results were delicious. It's easy to use and clean. If I were to improve one thing it would be the digital readout, making it brighter. But this is minor. I can definitely recommend it to the beginner as well as the experienced cook.

Have only used it once so far, but planning to make several dishes this weekend. Made yogurt which came out perfectly and was so much easier to do only having to use one pot to both heat milk and incubate. This is my first Instant Pot so cannot compare to other models, but I am very happy with user friendly interface. One disappointment is that cookbook (new one sent out separately) is not specifically for Ultra and recipes not impressive.

After a daughter and sister had success with their pots, I purchased the newest variation on a theme, the Ultra. After growing up with old pressure cookers these newer devices are quite a treat. I've been experimenting with as many "one button" solutions as I can just to compare to manual recipe settings. I've been pretty satisfied with the results. The convenience is wonderful for the old guy who appreciates quick decisions and left overs. I like the steam release of the Ultra over previous models. Overall this is a winner.

5stars for the machine and 2 stars for the recipe book. First pressure cooker ever. We are new to 3500 ft above sea level and everything stove top was so slow. Beef chuck roast was great, but the whole church carrots and potatoes added in step two were way, way overdone. The rice needs more water than the recipe calls for. So, nice machine, but a learning experience.

I'm a new user, but so far meats tastes like boiled meat - chicken, pork, beef. I prefer the roasted taste. Rice is perfect! Steaming seems to work well. Pot roast has veggies overcooked, meat tender, but not much taste. I do pulled pork and chili in my crockpot because I want larger quantities.Still exploring I guess. not wow-ed yet.

I was a bit late jumping on the Instant Pot craze and I'm sorry I waited, I think this is the best appliance I have ever owned-it performs well, has cut my dinner making time in half, really and truly a remarkable invention. I got rid of my rice cooker and slow cooker because I won't need them any longer. Our family has never been huge fans of slow cooking meat of any kind, because the texture changes and it's mushy and flavorless. Not with the Instant pot. Texture is great and flavor is too! The saute' feature actually works really well too, I was not expecting to actually be able to reduce sauces and it is very easy and quick.

I thought I would never want one of these--just for those who fear stovetop pressure cookers--but I was wrong. It is great and very easy to use. It's true, the instruction book is not well written (past tense: it was rotten, not written). However, there are a lot of enthusiasts online and you can find very good recipes with extensive instructions. The ability to cook succulent chicken with minimal effort and come back later is a very different experience from using a stovetop pressure cooker. It is slower to heat and you can't just throw it in the sink to cool rapidly, but it is very clever and reliable.It isn't hard to learn to use this and it has been very useful for chickens, chili, risotto, and French onion soup in it's first few weeks.

Have only done hard-boiled eggs, but they were so easy to peel, it almost makes it worth the cost for that alone.However, the instruction manual is basically a "How to turn it on and off" manual. I wanted to adjust for high altitude, and after 2 days of searching, finally found a website that told me how. And it certainly isn't "user-friendly". But I love the concept of so many appliances in one!

I was so stoked when I received my pot; used it 3 times and it died. I expected better quality control. SLT honoured its customer commitment and I am early awaiting the replacement. Shall re-do review on newer InstaPot. Sorry, no photo, I don't have a camera or even a cell phone.

Still getting use to operating this Pressure Cooker but have liked the results so far. I do wish though that the instruction on operating were a bit clearer or more specific on how to make your settings,i.e. setting the "time"to cook" the recipe under pressure. Took a while to figure out how to do that

Severe learning curve...a disappointment, to date. Online recipes are terrible. Who really represents the “Pot?” We will work on converting our own, flavorful recipes. Not sure why there is a surge of lovers....what are we missing?

Received a few days before Christmas and used daily since. Make oatmeal daily, set with delay and wake up to ready perfectly cooked oatmeal.Have enjoyed really good steak using Sous vide technique, most tender and juicy every time.Have made many lunchtime delicious soups, all taking around 30 minutes start to in bowl.Made one cake which was merely ok. Maybe I need more practice with that.Overall delighted with the Ultra.

This is a game changer- everything I have tried so far (beef, chicken, rice) has turned out better than I could imagine in such little time. Im so excited about its potential and will definitely replace my slow cooker, rice cooker etc. Its really all you need.

This pot is very nicely made, inside and out. Not flimsy at all, like my old crock cooker. The stainless (not aluminum) pot liner is dishwasher safe. Excited to re-vamp my old slow cooker recipes to this speedy way of cooking, although it does both - slow cooker and pressure cooker. I'm excited about cooking again.

I am so pleased with this instant pot. So far I have only made two recipes but they came out great! The instructions were easy to follow and the pressure cooker cooks things so quickly! Will highly recommend to others! Clean up was super easy as well! I am very happy and can't wait to make more recipes. The only concern is the knob to seal doesn't move and I thought it would. So that was confusing but now that I know it only moves a little it's fine. I understand the cult following :)

Ive had it since it first came out and I love it. I bought the 7-1 a year ago and was disappointed it did not sous vide. When this came out I snapped it up and havent looked back.I even use it for fast defrosting! defrost meat in 15 min at 125 degrees sous vide.

I am beyond thrilled with my Instant Pot! I was hesitant to try it, because I have an expensive and very nice slow cooker, but I am so glad I did! The pressure cooker function alone makes this purchase beyond worth it. It comes with some basic recipes, but honestly I have just been Googling pressure cooker recipes and it translates perfectly every time. You will not regret this purchase!

This is my second Instant Pot! I have the DUO 6qt as well. They both came in handy this holiday weekend when I had them both going with ribs and corn on the cob. Everyone raved about how amazingly tender the ribs were. I use my Instant Pot on a daily basis and make yogurt in it every weekend. I love it!

I will be returning this appliance - tried using recipes included and the dishes turned out badly. Over cooked vegetables, curdled curry, meat not tender or flavorful as it should be. I prefer using my slow cooker or stove top to the Instant Pot. I have the luxury of time - this may be a boon for a working family with limited time for cooking (would still suggest a programmable slow cooker over this pot.)

We had a bad experience with another brand name. It worked once and quit. The real problem was the recipe we made was fantastic. After reading teasers, we decided to wait for the Ultra instead of purchasing the Duo. Compared to the "wholesale" brand, this IP is amazing. I really like the stainless steel pot ... with Clad bottom. The other unit was non-stick aluminum, and the bottom was the same as the sides. This pot should be much more durable and I won't be afraid to scrub it.

The infinitely adjustable controls are incredible. Other brands, you have 1 choice for Saute, Ultra: low, medium and high. Pressure has 3 choices, too. Many features set this apart from the others. The pressure release valve is better than others. It keeps your hands away from the steam outlet. Compare and you will see. I believe this will be a game-changer, and others will need to adapt to compete.

Highly recommended. I have purchased 3 now. One for my family, one for a friend, and the last as a silent auction item for a fund raiser.

I choose this item because it's on sale and you have a cooking class on how to use it at our local store. My husband and I are looking forward to using it! We decided to go to the 6 quart, thinking that size will be perfect for us.

I choose this item because it's on sale and you have a cooking class on how to use it at our local store. My husband and I are looking forward to using it! We decided to go to the 6 quart, thinking that size will be perfect for us.

BEST ANSWER:The Ultra is the only Instant Pot with such a large digital screen, it has more presets, longer maximum cooking time, altitude adjustment, a cooking progress bar, ability to manually adjust the temp for precise cooking or sous vide applications.. I'm sure there's more..

BEST ANSWER:The Ultra is the only Instant Pot with such a large digital screen, it has more presets, longer maximum cooking time, altitude adjustment, a cooking progress bar, ability to manually adjust the temp for precise cooking or sous vide applications.. I'm sure there's more..

The Fagor Lux also has a mechanism to alert you if the lid is not on right and a setting to "lock" the screen from accidentally hitting it and changing the setting. It also cooks at a higher temp allowing it to cook faster which is good for delicate dishes.

What is the biggest difference between the plus & ultra? Is 6vquarts enough for making big pots of soup or chili and 4 pound pot-roasts with carrots & potatoes.. Etc? Since you cannot really fill them it seems small. Speaking with zero knowledge. We have a fam of 4 & like some leftovers. I saw that the Duo & Smart I believe, came in 8qt. Was thinking 8 may be better? Any suggestions? Lastly... I like the look of this Ultra. What is the advantages of the dial knob vs touch pad? Does it have auto pressure or manual release? IP had so many choices to confuse me and they have went and added 2 more! Help in deciding, is much appreciated as I have no experience with pressure cookers. Thanks

BEST ANSWER:Hi Trish, we dont carry the plus, and it doesnt appear to be on the market just yet, so it's a bit hard to say what the differences are. That being said, 6 quarts is quite a bit of food, certainly large enough for a 4lb roast and potatoes. The dial is pretty helpful when scrolling through the modes/settings etc. I'd imagine using + and - buttons would be a bit tedious after awhile. There is a picture of the pressure release valve above, it's manual.

"Release pressure using one of the following methods:Natural Release: Allow the cooker to cool down naturally until the float valve drops down.This may take 10 to 40 minutes, or even more, depending on the amount of food in thecooker. Place a wet towel on the lid to speed up cooling. After cooking is finished, thecooker will be in Keep Warm mode if it is turned ON.

Quick Release: Press the steam release button to the Venting position to let steam outuntil the float valve drops down. Never pull out the steam release handle while releasingsteam as escaping steam is extremely hot and can cause scalds. For food with large liquidvolume or starch content, use Natural Release instead as thick liquid may splatter out."

Good answer. However, the ship date is not guaranteed. And who reads paper copies these days. Maybe it would be a great touch to electronically deliver the owners manual to the emails on record for those that actually ordered Ultras when the product ships. That will give new owners such as myself a jump start on the product. This will be absolutely new to me so anything I can see/read ahead of delivery is always helpful. Notice I said those that actually ordered so there is no funny business here. You guys know who placed orders and hopefully have those individuals email address etc. thanks for the prompt responses Nolan.

Oh man, that would be ideal, but I don't think our systems are capable of that kind of pinpointed distribution. I'm not sure I understand about "not guaranteed" and "funny business". We've been helping people prepare great food since 1972. I hope you enjoy your new Ultra! It's a pretty cool machine!

By "not guaranteed" I mean this is a new soon to be released product and product delivery dates (to Sur La Table) are always subject to change from Instant Pot. And as for "funny business" I was not referring to you guys but moreso those who try to get the jump on the product or product documentation for reviews or whatever. :). Hence why I thought you did not want to or couldn't send out the PDF version of the manual. No funny business on the sur la table side. :). I am for sure looking forward to my first Instant Pot.

Hi Michael, there is an instruction manual that comes with it, but if you're looking for more, there are quite a few IP specific books on the market. IP has their own cookbook (we'll have it online in a week or so), but many bloggers have written extensively about this unit as well. I don't have a personal favorite, I just search by whatever my stomach tells me ;)

BEST ANSWER:Hi Trish, we dont carry the plus, and it doesnt appear to be on the market just yet, so it's a bit hard to say what the differences are. That being said, 6 quarts is quite a bit of food, certainly large enough for a 4lb roast and potatoes. The dial is pretty helpful when scrolling through the modes/settings etc. I'd imagine using + and - buttons would be a bit tedious after awhile. There is a picture of the pressure release valve above, it's manual.

"Release pressure using one of the following methods:Natural Release: Allow the cooker to cool down naturally until the float valve drops down.This may take 10 to 40 minutes, or even more, depending on the amount of food in thecooker. Place a wet towel on the lid to speed up cooling. After cooking is finished, thecooker will be in Keep Warm mode if it is turned ON.

Quick Release: Press the steam release button to the Venting position to let steam outuntil the float valve drops down. Never pull out the steam release handle while releasingsteam as escaping steam is extremely hot and can cause scalds. For food with large liquidvolume or starch content, use Natural Release instead as thick liquid may splatter out."

Good answer. However, the ship date is not guaranteed. And who reads paper copies these days. Maybe it would be a great touch to electronically deliver the owners manual to the emails on record for those that actually ordered Ultras when the product ships. That will give new owners such as myself a jump start on the product. This will be absolutely new to me so anything I can see/read ahead of delivery is always helpful. Notice I said those that actually ordered so there is no funny business here. You guys know who placed orders and hopefully have those individuals email address etc. thanks for the prompt responses Nolan.

Oh man, that would be ideal, but I don't think our systems are capable of that kind of pinpointed distribution. I'm not sure I understand about "not guaranteed" and "funny business". We've been helping people prepare great food since 1972. I hope you enjoy your new Ultra! It's a pretty cool machine!

By "not guaranteed" I mean this is a new soon to be released product and product delivery dates (to Sur La Table) are always subject to change from Instant Pot. And as for "funny business" I was not referring to you guys but moreso those who try to get the jump on the product or product documentation for reviews or whatever. :). Hence why I thought you did not want to or couldn't send out the PDF version of the manual. No funny business on the sur la table side. :). I am for sure looking forward to my first Instant Pot.

Hi Michael, there is an instruction manual that comes with it, but if you're looking for more, there are quite a few IP specific books on the market. IP has their own cookbook (we'll have it online in a week or so), but many bloggers have written extensively about this unit as well. I don't have a personal favorite, I just search by whatever my stomach tells me ;)

Traditional Slow Cookers cook from the sides (or sometimes sides and bottom). This ONLY cooks from the bottom. If you are cooking something really thick (like chili) you can get a BURN notification which means things are scorching on the bottom.

Instant Pot will not confirm that this is coming out. Can you guarantee that you will ship by April 11?

A shopper
on Mar 27, 2017

BEST ANSWER:They probably won't/can't say much because this model is being sold exclusively at SLT right now. I can't guarantee the ship date, but my sources tell me they have no reason to believe it will change one way or another. And my sources are pretty reliable.

BEST ANSWER:They probably won't/can't say much because this model is being sold exclusively at SLT right now. I can't guarantee the ship date, but my sources tell me they have no reason to believe it will change one way or another. And my sources are pretty reliable.

BEST ANSWER:I've done extensive sous vide cooking in the ultrs and find it to be extremely accurate. But it take approx. 15-20 additional minutes to get to temp. after the machine indicates temperature has been reached. I've repeatedly tested water temp near the bottom of the pot and at the water surfsce, and it's always been within 1 degree of accuracy. I recommend putting a lid on to keep the temp even throughout the water bath

BEST ANSWER:I've done extensive sous vide cooking in the ultrs and find it to be extremely accurate. But it take approx. 15-20 additional minutes to get to temp. after the machine indicates temperature has been reached. I've repeatedly tested water temp near the bottom of the pot and at the water surfsce, and it's always been within 1 degree of accuracy. I recommend putting a lid on to keep the temp even throughout the water bath

Hi Lisa, it will definitely Sous Vide without extra equipment. You'd just need a bag for the food. Or, eggs can just go straight into some water. You should be aware that this will work with less accuracy than an immersion circulator though (Sansaire/FusionChef/Joule/Anova etc). The water will fluctuate in temperature a few degrees up or down, whereas a purpose-built unit has a more constant temp.

Hi Lisa,You can use Ultra function to do your Sous vide cooking on the IP, if you have a food saver bags/ system you can use that or you can simply use ziplock bags just make sure you close them well so the water won't go inside the bad.

Although I do not own this product, I contacted Sur La Table Customer service and asked, and they said the Aura model does not function as a pressure cooker. The Ultra does--also the Ultra is available in different sizes for different prices.

does it show the current temperature inside the cooker? or it just allows you to set the temperature and beeps when it reached the set temperature?

A shopper
on Apr 18, 2017

BEST ANSWER:I wanted to add that with the Ultra, you are able to custom set the temperature on certain settings. And although it doesn't tell you the temperature inside the pot as it builds pressure, the Ultra does have a little graph (if you will) that displays the progress of the pot; as it builds temp, is pressurized, and while it cooks.

BEST ANSWER:I wanted to add that with the Ultra, you are able to custom set the temperature on certain settings. And although it doesn't tell you the temperature inside the pot as it builds pressure, the Ultra does have a little graph (if you will) that displays the progress of the pot; as it builds temp, is pressurized, and while it cooks.

With the Instant Pot you don't set a specific temperature; you choose a cook setting like pressure cooker, saute, or slow cooker, etc. and the pot sets the appropriate temp. I have never seen a specific temperature inside the pot. I can tell you that the pot has never let me down and each item I've prepared in it has been great.

No, the pot is fully automated. For the saute feature you have three choices, low, med, and hi. There is a graph line on the bottom of the display that allows you to guess-ti-mate the temp inside the pot as water does boil at 212 degrees F. I don't know of any electric pressure cooker that has a temp readout. Hope this helps.

It does not tell you the temperature inside the pot. Once it comes to pressure it will cook for the number of minutes you have selected and will beep again when it is done. It will automatically go to keep warm setting. You can either wait for the pressure to dissipate on its own (natural release) or press the button on top in short bursts to release the pressure (quick release)

BEST ANSWER:This product is not currently available in your local store. You are welcome to purchase online and have it shipped directly to you. As this product becomes available in stores, you will be able to use the Find In Store feature on the website.

BEST ANSWER:This product is not currently available in your local store. You are welcome to purchase online and have it shipped directly to you. As this product becomes available in stores, you will be able to use the Find In Store feature on the website.

Natural Release: Allow the cooker to cool down naturally until the float valve drops down.This may take 10 to 40 minutes, or even more, depending on the amount of food in thecooker. Place a wet towel on the lid to speed up cooling. After cooking is finished, thecooker will be in Keep Warm mode if it is turned ON.

Quick Release: Press the steam release button to the Venting position to let steam outuntil the float valve drops down. Never pull out the steam release handle while releasingsteam as escaping steam is extremely hot and can cause scalds. For food with large liquidvolume or starch content, use Natural Release instead as thick liquid may splatter out."

Natural Release: Allow the cooker to cool down naturally until the float valve drops down.This may take 10 to 40 minutes, or even more, depending on the amount of food in thecooker. Place a wet towel on the lid to speed up cooling. After cooking is finished, thecooker will be in Keep Warm mode if it is turned ON.

Quick Release: Press the steam release button to the Venting position to let steam outuntil the float valve drops down. Never pull out the steam release handle while releasingsteam as escaping steam is extremely hot and can cause scalds. For food with large liquidvolume or starch content, use Natural Release instead as thick liquid may splatter out."

BEST ANSWER:I would advise against it. As would that manufacturer I assume. Check out a canning website (Mason, Kerr, Anchor Hocking etc) to see what they suggest. Buying a purpose built stovetop pressure canner is probably the best way to prevent botulism and other nasty toxins.

BEST ANSWER:I would advise against it. As would that manufacturer I assume. Check out a canning website (Mason, Kerr, Anchor Hocking etc) to see what they suggest. Buying a purpose built stovetop pressure canner is probably the best way to prevent botulism and other nasty toxins.

How do you sous vide in this pot? I understand that you use the "ultra" function and can dial in the exact temperature. However, I have this pot and there are no further instructions in the manual! Do you clip the bags containing the food to the edge of the pot or just throw them entirely in the pot? Do you leave the lid on or off?

A shopper
on May 7, 2017

BEST ANSWER:When you go to the ultra setting and choose pressure "none" a temperature feature will pop up, from there choose custom and set whatever temperature you would like. It looks like most people leave a large ziplock bag over the side with the lid off, but I have never actually done it.

BEST ANSWER:When you go to the ultra setting and choose pressure "none" a temperature feature will pop up, from there choose custom and set whatever temperature you would like. It looks like most people leave a large ziplock bag over the side with the lid off, but I have never actually done it.

I put the bag(s) in the water, put the trivet on top of my bag(s) to help hold them under the water, and then put the lid on to KEEP them submerged (that's the only reason to put the lid on). Works great.

Is it possible to turn the sound off permanently? I have turned it off but then when I go to use it again, the sound comes back on. The pitch of the beeps is making my dog crazy!

A shopper
on May 17, 2017

BEST ANSWER:With my Instant Pot Ultra, I went into the Settings Menu and turned the sound off and it hasn't come on since that and it stays off - more or less - permanently. *Suggestion, did you make sure the sound was "Set" to Off? As in: maybe, you thought you set it to "Off" but, didn't follow through completely to set it permanently off...

BEST ANSWER:With my Instant Pot Ultra, I went into the Settings Menu and turned the sound off and it hasn't come on since that and it stays off - more or less - permanently. *Suggestion, did you make sure the sound was "Set" to Off? As in: maybe, you thought you set it to "Off" but, didn't follow through completely to set it permanently off...

I followed the user manual instructions to a tee and no luck even turning it off at all. Whenever I am in the standby screen, pressing and holding the central dial brings me out of the standby screen, and I can never adjust sound, altitude, or temperature scale settings. Also, pressing cancel when the program is flashing does not do anything. It does not bring me to the standby screen. I can only get there by waiting. Any advice?

BEST ANSWER:To adjust the ‘Altitude’, follow these steps:Return the cooker to the ‘Standby’ mode by pressing ‘Cancel’;Press and hold the central dial until the cooker beeps and enters into the system-level settings change;Rotate the dial to ‘Alt’ and press to select and rotate to the desired altitude units in feet or meters;When the altitude unit is selected, press the central dial to enter the ‘Altitude’ adjustment mode, rotate the central dial to make the adjustments;Once the adjustments are made, press the ‘Start’ key to save the system-level settings changes and exitThe Altitude must only be set once for all programs. Once the altitude is adjusted, it will apply to all programs.There is no indication the ‘Altitude’ has been set. However, the cooking time will be adjusted once the altitude has been updated. For example, a 30-minute cooking cycle will be automatically adjusted to approximately 34 minutes.

BEST ANSWER:To adjust the ‘Altitude’, follow these steps:Return the cooker to the ‘Standby’ mode by pressing ‘Cancel’;Press and hold the central dial until the cooker beeps and enters into the system-level settings change;Rotate the dial to ‘Alt’ and press to select and rotate to the desired altitude units in feet or meters;When the altitude unit is selected, press the central dial to enter the ‘Altitude’ adjustment mode, rotate the central dial to make the adjustments;Once the adjustments are made, press the ‘Start’ key to save the system-level settings changes and exitThe Altitude must only be set once for all programs. Once the altitude is adjusted, it will apply to all programs.There is no indication the ‘Altitude’ has been set. However, the cooking time will be adjusted once the altitude has been updated. For example, a 30-minute cooking cycle will be automatically adjusted to approximately 34 minutes.

You dial in how many feet or meters you are above sea level, and it automatically adjusts the preset modes to compensate. It's most relevant for users above 2,000ft (610m). A rather handy feature honestly!

BEST ANSWER:Authorized by Instant Pot: Instant Pot Miracle: From Gourmet to Everyday, 175 Must Have Recipes. Author Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. This has good introductory information on operation of electric pressure cooking and sample foods to cook then goes on to the recipes. UNFORTUNATELY This also demonstrates the older version and not this newer one so be adaptive!

BEST ANSWER:Authorized by Instant Pot: Instant Pot Miracle: From Gourmet to Everyday, 175 Must Have Recipes. Author Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. This has good introductory information on operation of electric pressure cooking and sample foods to cook then goes on to the recipes. UNFORTUNATELY This also demonstrates the older version and not this newer one so be adaptive!

BEST ANSWER:yes, you can. if you order it from Sur La Table, the IP Ultra package comes with "exclusive- multicooker all-in-one booklet" that has a Risotto recipe, which you can use "Saute/brown mode and then pressure cook on high 6 mins. the whole step by step is on page 8. Mine came out perfect :-)

BEST ANSWER:yes, you can. if you order it from Sur La Table, the IP Ultra package comes with "exclusive- multicooker all-in-one booklet" that has a Risotto recipe, which you can use "Saute/brown mode and then pressure cook on high 6 mins. the whole step by step is on page 8. Mine came out perfect :-)

BEST ANSWER:I have the Ultra, I also have the Duo. Unfortunately, the instructions are seriously lacking. I can try to help answer any questions you have. Or point you to additional resources. Are you part of the Facebook IP Community? There are a lot of videos out there and instructions for using the IP. The thing I learned quickly is that you need to push the dial in when you are selecting your minutes, temperature, etc. Let me know if you have other questions.

BEST ANSWER:I have the Ultra, I also have the Duo. Unfortunately, the instructions are seriously lacking. I can try to help answer any questions you have. Or point you to additional resources. Are you part of the Facebook IP Community? There are a lot of videos out there and instructions for using the IP. The thing I learned quickly is that you need to push the dial in when you are selecting your minutes, temperature, etc. Let me know if you have other questions.

The steam release control does not turn to a seal position as indicated in the manual on mine. Does anyone else's? It still allows pressure to build, and when presssed, the control does stay down until the pressure is released. I have used it twice and like this Instant Pot, but I'm nervous it's not fully sealed. Should I return it to Sur La Table?

BEST ANSWER:When the button is up it is in the closed position to get it to vent press the teardrop button down and give it a little twist clockwise. The button should stay down and vent without being held down manually. I am using mine for the first time and it worked for me. I love this thing.

BEST ANSWER:When the button is up it is in the closed position to get it to vent press the teardrop button down and give it a little twist clockwise. The button should stay down and vent without being held down manually. I am using mine for the first time and it worked for me. I love this thing.

The Ultra is rated at 1000w of Power consumption. How does this compare to other cookers that say they use a few hundred watts? When is it using 1000w, always? Or does it overall use a much lower amount say for slow cooking? It just seems like it will add up on the electricity bill really quick. Thank you!

BEST ANSWER:Products like this that use digitally-controlled electric heating elements are either on at full power or totally off, depending on the difference between the measured temperature and desired temperature. They constantly cycle on and off as needed to maintain the target temperature. During the initial temperature ramp-up, the heating element will most likely be on the whole time (think toaster oven heating coil glowing orange before it reaches the set temperature), but once it quickly reaches it's target, it turns off and on to just maintain that temperature, and will probably be off more than it's on.

So the power consumption averages between the on and off time of the heating element. For the amount of time you'll be using this throughout the week, even if used daily, I doubt you'd notice the slightest change in your electric bill. In most cases, I estimate it would be similar to running your hair drier an extra 15 minutes a day. Don't worry about it and enjoy!

BEST ANSWER:Products like this that use digitally-controlled electric heating elements are either on at full power or totally off, depending on the difference between the measured temperature and desired temperature. They constantly cycle on and off as needed to maintain the target temperature. During the initial temperature ramp-up, the heating element will most likely be on the whole time (think toaster oven heating coil glowing orange before it reaches the set temperature), but once it quickly reaches it's target, it turns off and on to just maintain that temperature, and will probably be off more than it's on.

So the power consumption averages between the on and off time of the heating element. For the amount of time you'll be using this throughout the week, even if used daily, I doubt you'd notice the slightest change in your electric bill. In most cases, I estimate it would be similar to running your hair drier an extra 15 minutes a day. Don't worry about it and enjoy!

Usually a product is listed at its maximum power consumption. A 1700 Watt hair dryer will consume 1700 watts when both the heat and the fan settings are at their maximum. Lower the temp and fan speeds and it will use less. The IP will use up to 1000W when heating up and will use less once heated.

BEST ANSWER:Yes, and it makes them incredibly easy to peel. Assuming you aren't too far above sea level, this is the best and simplest method. Add one cup of cold water & stack eggs on any type of trivet. Cook at high pressure for 2 minutes (or 1 min for soft boiled) and allow a natural pressure release. Cool in cold water then shake in a coffee cup to crack the shells before peeling.

BEST ANSWER:Yes, and it makes them incredibly easy to peel. Assuming you aren't too far above sea level, this is the best and simplest method. Add one cup of cold water & stack eggs on any type of trivet. Cook at high pressure for 2 minutes (or 1 min for soft boiled) and allow a natural pressure release. Cool in cold water then shake in a coffee cup to crack the shells before peeling.

This model comes with a stainless pot, but if you're looking for a second, you'll have to confirm sizing with Instant Pot. My gut instinct says they'd be the same (economies of scale are helpful for reducing costs), but I don't have enough info to confirm.

How does one "delay cooking up to 24 hours?" So I put my food in now and it won't start cooking for 8...16....23 hours depending on when I want it? What foods would you leave out for that long without cooking?

BEST ANSWER:The delayed start option gives users more flexibility in planning their work. For example, you could plan to have already sterilized your pot to start making yogurt upon arrival home. This means the night before you could add water and set delayed start. Voila! The pot is ready for yogurt making saving you time in the morning and when you are ready to get the recipe started. Users should be mindful of what can and cannot be delayed for health and safety reasons.

BEST ANSWER:The delayed start option gives users more flexibility in planning their work. For example, you could plan to have already sterilized your pot to start making yogurt upon arrival home. This means the night before you could add water and set delayed start. Voila! The pot is ready for yogurt making saving you time in the morning and when you are ready to get the recipe started. Users should be mindful of what can and cannot be delayed for health and safety reasons.

Yes, you can add your ingredients in & set the timer to cook later for you. I haven't tried this yet, but imagine you can do this to have oatmeal ready in the morning or for rice & vegetarian types of soups.....nothing that could spoil easily if left unrefridgerated like meat products.

I have not tried it but I can't see why not if you have an Ultra, and know the time and temperature for the recipe. Set pressure to none, set the temperature required, and set the cooking time. Press start. When done, the Keep Warm function will come on automatically.

Yes it can. The booklet has instructions to follow. My personal opinion though is that some recipes for a slow cooker need a slow cooker because the Instant Pot only heats from the bottom. A true slow cooker heats from the sides as well as the bottom. I know people who have had their food scorched due to long periods in the slow cooker. You would have to experiment carefully.

Yes it can. The glass lid is so handy. I have a second SS pot liner so it is easy to cook sequential items & keep the first one hot while the second one cooks.Can't tell you how much I love this new IP.

Yes it can, however you don't have to have the glass lid. You can use the slow cooker with the regular lid in place. The glass lid is convenient for storing leftovers in the fridge and for making yogurt.

I am new to Instant pot I have the Instant Pot Ultra60 But the instruction book is not really now good I am having trouble setting it to Ultra or manual ?? Help

A shopper
on Jan 6, 2018

BEST ANSWER:I would think, you simply select the function you want to perform then just adjust the cooking-time along with the other "related-attributes" as well.

For example, you want to Pressure Cook. You turn the selector knob until it rests on the "Pressure Cook" function/selection. You then, push in the selector knob until it centers or selects the cooking time area (it highlights it with a blue outline when you're there and flashes). Push the selector knob again, until the time flashes/blinks. Turn the knob (left or right) to adjust the cooking time. Press the selector knob again to set it.

Below the Cooking Time area, there is the Pressure Cooking range adjustment area.Turn the selector knob until it highlights the Pressure Cooking range area. Push the selector knob to select the 2 Pressure Cooking ranges: "High" or "Low." Once that's set, you push the Selector Knob again.

Next, you determine whether or not you want the "Delay" and "Keep Warm" functions (on or off) active/or not by virtually repeating the same above process: turn selector knob/push selector knob vice/versa.

Once you have all these functions determined/set, you simply the push start button to begin cooking or Cancel to cancel your actions and/or start over.

Sorry, my above answer to your question about the "Ultra/manual" mode - I didn't make the connection to your answer - I don't think so at least. Anyway, I cannot edit my answer - I see no edit button for my above post, so here is the rest to hopefully put it into perspective for you.

Alright, regarding the "Ultra" mode, you more or less, follow through with the above process as I explained regarding the Pressure Cooking scenario above - but instead - you would make sure that you are in the "Ultra" selection first then push/turn/push/etc, the Selector Knob to adjust/set the areas like Time, Temperature, Delay, Keep Warm...

When you do just about any feature with the Instant Pot Ultra, it is basically the same process I explained above.

BEST ANSWER:I would think, you simply select the function you want to perform then just adjust the cooking-time along with the other "related-attributes" as well.

For example, you want to Pressure Cook. You turn the selector knob until it rests on the "Pressure Cook" function/selection. You then, push in the selector knob until it centers or selects the cooking time area (it highlights it with a blue outline when you're there and flashes). Push the selector knob again, until the time flashes/blinks. Turn the knob (left or right) to adjust the cooking time. Press the selector knob again to set it.

Below the Cooking Time area, there is the Pressure Cooking range adjustment area.Turn the selector knob until it highlights the Pressure Cooking range area. Push the selector knob to select the 2 Pressure Cooking ranges: "High" or "Low." Once that's set, you push the Selector Knob again.

Next, you determine whether or not you want the "Delay" and "Keep Warm" functions (on or off) active/or not by virtually repeating the same above process: turn selector knob/push selector knob vice/versa.

Once you have all these functions determined/set, you simply the push start button to begin cooking or Cancel to cancel your actions and/or start over.

Sorry, my above answer to your question about the "Ultra/manual" mode - I didn't make the connection to your answer - I don't think so at least. Anyway, I cannot edit my answer - I see no edit button for my above post, so here is the rest to hopefully put it into perspective for you.

Alright, regarding the "Ultra" mode, you more or less, follow through with the above process as I explained regarding the Pressure Cooking scenario above - but instead - you would make sure that you are in the "Ultra" selection first then push/turn/push/etc, the Selector Knob to adjust/set the areas like Time, Temperature, Delay, Keep Warm...

When you do just about any feature with the Instant Pot Ultra, it is basically the same process I explained above.

Based on the question, I will try to help. I have a 8qt. 1st rule add 1-1 1/2 water always! Now, there are many YouTube video on the internet that you can watch. 1 persons on YouTube video is TosTinMan EasyCooking. He has the same model we do. He shows different meals that he has cooked. This gave me the best way to interpret alittle in the world of instant pot. Start with the basic ingredients in a meal. Chicken breast not frozen and it 2 pounds. It takes about 6-8 minutes. Never forget the water! Add seasoning to the chicken. Start by using the pressure cook option on hi. Next no delay. Next keep on warm. Hit the start. Follow the YouTube video and this might help. We are all in the same boat to cook fantastic meals!

I agree the instructions are horrible! I googled and found several sites that explained the Ultra a lot better. Try this one: I cannot put in the HTML so i left out the dot com after 'red' and before / hope that helps :) paintthekitchenred /instant-pot-ultra-beginners-quick-start-manual/

If you are on Facebook, join the Instant Pot 101 for Beginners group. They answer questions about all makes of Electric Pressure Cookers. There is also a group on Instant Pot Ultra Users. Any issue that comes up, someone will help right away!